Clay question

[THier]

I finally found a clay bar, it is Mothers.
Question it is roughly the size of a credit card, .250-.5" thick. Do I use the whole thing, or rip it in half and save half for later. I know it says to fold it up and kneed it and it is reusable, but use the whole thing or not?
Thanks,
Tom

[ElectricBlueGT]

Tom,

I break it up into 2 or 3 pieces. I store the unused clay in a ziploc bag with a couple sprays of Quick Detailer to keep the clay moist.

Use only what you think you might need. Besides, in case it falls on the ground, you have a new piece to use. DON'T use a piece of clay that has fallen on the ground! It will scratch the daylights out of your paint! Throw it away immediately.

Scott

[THier]

quote:Originally posted by ElectricBlueGT

Tom,

Besides, in case it falls on the ground, you have a new piece to use. DON'T use a piece of clay that has fallen on the ground! It will scratch the daylights out of your paint! Throw it away immediately.

Scott

THAT was one thing I have picked up here, and was one of the reasons I figured on breaking it up. Now, do you reuse the piece you used, or do you toss it after each use? If you reuse, how do you know it is time to toss it?
Thanks,
Tom

[ElectricBlueGT]

Tom,

I think it is a matter of how dirty the car was BEFORE you started. If it is the first time you have ever used it, I probably would throw it away or maybe reuse just once. If it is a regular maintenance job, you probably can reuse it 2 times. But, since the claybar is so cheap, why reuse it until you could possibly ruin your paint? A good sign to throw it away is when the clay is very dirty (dark grey or black) or contains a lot of grit.

I have found that I run out of the Quick Detailer before I run out of clay. I overapply the spray to make sure I don't scratch or ruin the paint. No scratches yet!

Scott

[quicksilverdon]

Agree with Scott. Keep clay "lubed" when using, and I toss when folding brings dirty clay.

[THier]

Thanks guys,
As far as being cheap, I paid $12 for the "kit" clay bar and detailing spray, isthis pretty much in line, or Gary, what is it you sell, and is the cost pretty much the same by the time I get the clay and spray seperate?
Thanks,
Tom

Oh yea I know $12 is a little cheaper than a paint job

[turbomangt]

My cost is $20 for a brick, I'm sure its thicker and larger than what is sold retail, I sell a half a brick for 10 bucks. I will look around some auto supply stores when I get a chance and see what they have. For 12 bucks with the spray unless it is really small, you should be fine. Gary

[Cal Cruzer]

I have always used Mother's but last time at Pep Boys they only had Clay Magic. Since they were the original (I think) I figured I would give them a try. Well, I did the first half of my hood with no problem. Then I pulled and folded it to a new lcay surface and started on the second half. There must have been some impurity in the clay because it scratched the heck out of the passenge side of the hood. Not real deep but man was I pissed. I got out an old bar of Mother's htat I had and went over it, that helped some, then used Gary's paint sealant. You can still see the marks but it is livable until I can get it buffed. I was going to email them but I am sure they would just blow it off anyhow. NEVER use the Clay Magic, IMHO.

[robinjoe]

The clay I found at Advance Auto Parts came with a spray (presumably quick detailer) for about $14. What concerned me was that it said on the package that it was for removal of paint overspray. I think it was Mother's, but it might have been Maguiar's.

Would this be the right stuff? Or should I keep looking.

Joe

[THier]

Thats what I got and thats where I found it. Mine is Mothers
Tom